Motorists have been caught ignoring a one way system introduced to stop a South Devon village being used as a rat run.

Highweek in Newton Abbot is suffering from through traffic on its narrow streets, and with around 6,000 new homes planned in the ‘Heart of Teignbridge’ area of Newton Abbot, Kingsteignton, and Kingskerswell in the next 15 years, it is anticipated traffic in the village will only get worse.

An Experimental Traffic Regulation Order was introduced last month, which includes making Pitt Hill Road one way northbound from Stoneleigh Close, as part of a bid to stop the village being used as a rat run.

Vehicles ignoring the one way signs in Highweek

But Cllr Phil Bullivant, who represents Newton Abbot Bradley ward in which Highweek is located, has said that last week he recorded 35 vehicles in 30 minutes just ignoring the new rules.

“Because of the numbers ignoring the new road layout I was approached by residents to do something about it.

“I spent 30 minutes on Wednesday and Friday afternoon with residents recording and photographing 35 vehicles ignoring the road signs. The police are taking the issue seriously and will be writing to those involved.

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“Such behaviour by drivers is irresponsible and must be stopped as there could be a serious accident.”

Whitehill Road at junction with the A382 Exeter Road

The Experimental Traffic Regulation Order aims to address traffic concerns raised by the Highweek Residents’ Association, and as well as the new one way system on Pitt Hall Road, also includes the closure of Whitehill Road at the northern end (at the junction with the A382 Exeter Road) and restricted access for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on Ringslade Road.

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The long-term solution is for a new link road between the A382 and A383 to be provided as an alternative route for traffic between new housing as part of the Houghton Barton development, but work on that scheme is not expected to begin until 2020.

A planning application for the new roads is due to be submitted by Devon County Council next summer.

On Tuesday, Teignbridge District Council’s executive committee approved the Development Framework Plan for the Houghton Barton development which also includes the building of more than 1,150 houses, developing 18 hectares of employment space, a children’s centre, shops, and a 420-place primary school.

The Illustrative Masterplan for the NA1 Houghton Barton development

It will transform the western boundaries of Newton Abbot and see ‘the equivalent of a medium-sized town’ built on the edge of the town.

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Cllr Jeremy Christophers, leader of Teignbridge District Council, said: “This is a big day for the village of Highweek and getting this has link road and the development has been a long term ambition of the council. We have long recognised that this road had to go in and its importance is reflected also by the upgrade of the A382 between Drumbridges and Newton Abbot.

“This plan, coupling up with road from Drumbridges, is at the heart of our district, and this is of potential greater value to us than the South Devon Highway for the people of Teignbridge.

“It has been a big day for Highweek Village, as Conservative-led Teignbridge have moved in on providing a solution to traffic rat-running through the village.”

The executive unanimously approved adopting the framework plan for the application site that cuts across a huge area and stretches from Forches Cross on the A382 Bovey Tracey Road westwards towards the Seale Hayne campus and then south to the former Hele Park Golf Course on the A383 Ashburton Road, where 650 homes are currently being built.